MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. service members, Philippine National Police officers, local government employees, and local health practitioners conducted a joint medical outreach project on Banaran Island, Municipality of Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi on October 23, 2019.

The medical mission provided health services, ranging from preventative medical and dental checkups to minor surgical procedures, for more than 500 local residents of Banaran Island and other surrounding communities.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. based non-profit organization Spirit of America funded the medical mission, which involved more than 85 personnel from the Philippine National Police Special Action Forces 51st Special Action Company, Philippine National Police 1st Maritime Group-Special Operation Unit, Tawi-Tawi Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), Sapa-Sapa Municipal Office, Sapa-Sapa Health Office, Barangay Banaran Health Workers, Bongao Doctors, and U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific soldiers.